An Albrightsville man was sentenced to a prison term on Monday after pleading guilty to three criminal counts, including criminal conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

He was one of 11 defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.NesquehoningincidentRonald AnthonyVentura, 28, also pleaded to one count each of possession of an instrument of crime and a summary offense of driving under suspension.He was arrested after being stopped by Nesquehoning police along Route 93 near the state game lands for speeding, going 76.5 mph in a 55 zone.At the stop the arrest officer, Chief Sean T. Smith, recognized Ventura and his passenger, identified as Alisen Vanger, from his work with the county drug task force and the Attorney General's office. Ventura also had two active bench warrants for his arrest.A search of the vehicle was conducted and found was a set of brass knuckles. Also found in the car was drug paraphernalia, as well as some found outside the passenger door along the berm.Ventura admitted to a long-term drug addiction problem. He is also facing a probation revocation hearing.On the possession of instruments of crime charge, Matika sentenced him to serve three to one day less 24 months in the county prison. On the tampering charge he was sentenced to serve one year probation, concurrent with the first count. On the suspension charge he was sentenced to 30 days in jail, also concurrent, and a fine of $1,000.Ventura was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for D&A use, and when released on bail render 50 hours of community service.He was given credit for 34 days already spent in jail on the charges.Other pleasOther defendants who entered guilty pleas included:Brian Shawn Kester, 49, of New Tripoli, pleaded to one count of default in required appearance.Kester was serving a weekend sentence in the county prison and failed to appear for his third of four scheduled weekends. That occurred on May 5, 2007. He was not located until recently despite a warrant for his arrest.Kester is also facing prison time for a parole revocation concerning the case for which he was serving the weekend sentence.Matika sentenced him to serve 30 days to one year on the default charge and render 50 hours of community service when released. The term is concurrent with the original criminal count.Kester has been in the county prison for the past 67 days, held on the original criminal complaint.Charles Lewis Thatcher VII, 18, of Lansford, pleaded to one count each of simple assault and receiving stolen property.He was arrested by Lansford police for an incident on Aug. 28 in which he and a co-defendant assaulted a man in the area of Ridge and Center streets and took money and his cell phone.On the simple assault charge he was sentenced to time served (36 days) to one year in jail and on the receiving count probation for a year, consecutive to the first count.He was also ordered to make restitution of $15 to the victim, which is his share of the total taken, attend and complete an anger management course, render 50 hours of community service, and have no contact with the victim.Robert Edward Kovac, 23, of McAdoo, pleaded to one count each of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.He was arrested on June 11 by Kidder Township police following an incident along Route 534 on state game lands. He was found parked in a parking lot with illegal drugs.He was placed on probation of the paraphernalia charge for six months and ordered to render 25 hours of community service. On the possession count he was fined $300.Sherrell Starr Taylor, 35, of West Hazleton, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy-possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance-heroin.She was arrested on March 5 by Weatherly police after she was involved in the sale of heroin to a confidential informant in the area of 218 Carbon St.Taylor, because of a prior criminal record, is facing a prison term at the time of sentencing.Sentencing was deferred so she could apply for the Intermediate Punishment Program.John Ruzicka, 28, of Lehighton, entered pleas in two pending cases. He pleaded to one count each of criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.He was arrested on the trespass count on June 15 by Mahoning Township police. He and his brother, Robert Ruzicka, were found in a home at 1012 Oak Grove Drive removing items, including copper piping. The home was vacant at the time due to previous fire.The drug count occurred on May 24 in Lehighton where borough police found him in the 200 block of Iron Street slumped over the wheel of a vehicle under the influence.Ruzicka admitted to a long-term drug problem and has gone through three inpatient programs, the latest was for two weeks since his arrest on the instant charges.On the trespass count Matika sentenced him to time served (25 days) to a year in jail, followed by a year probation and on the paraphernalia charge, six months probation concurrent.He was also ordered to get a D&A evaluation, render 50 hours of community service, make restitution in the trespass case of $2,630.80, his half share, supply a DNA sample, and zero tolerance on D&A use.William H. Valentine, 20, of Blakeslee, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. He was arrested on Jan. 15 by Kidder Township police for his part in the theft of snowboards at the Big Boulder Ski area.Sentencing was deferred.Kyle L. Aicher, 22, of Walnutport, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on April 10 in the area of 285-13 Lower Nis Hollow Drive by Mahoning Township police.He was placed on probation for six months and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.Alfredo Russo Jr., 25, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of criminal conspiracy-retail theft. He was arrested for his part in an incident at the Walmart store in Mahoning Township.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and to stay out of the store during the period. The items taken were recovered.Robert Lee Clifford III, 21, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of fleeing or attempting to elude police.He was arrested on Jan. 19 by Lansford police while operating an all-terrain vehicle on the streets and then fleeing when police attempted to stop him.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.On two summary motor vehicle code violations he was fined a total of $325 and costs.Joshua Robert Green, 33, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine. He was arrested on Oct. 12 by Nesquehoning police along Industrial Road. He was found in a parked vehicle with a female and had the illegal drug.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a D&A evaluation, and render 50 hours of community service.Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.